Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in southern Louisiana on Wednesday and is moving along the northwestern Gulf Coast, where tropical storm warnings remain in effect.
The National Hurricane Center has discontinued warnings for portions of the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts, with the storm expected to dissipate after making a second landfall in Texas Thursday night or early Friday.
But tropical storm conditions will continue spreading across parts of the northern and northwestern Gulf Coast through Thursday, forecasters said.
There may also be isolated flash flooding, with up to 6 inches of rain possible in some areas, as well as coastal flooding.
Bertha is the second named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. The first, Tropical Storm Arthur, brought heavy rain and flash flooding to parts of southern Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi last month.
Where is Bertha now, and what is its path?
According to the hurricane center’s latest advisory, as of 2 p.m. ET on Thursday:
Bertha was located about 40 miles south of Lake Charles, La.
The storm has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph
It is moving west at 10 mph
“Bertha’s center is likely to straddle the coast of Louisiana through Thursday and then reach the upper Texas coast by Thursday evening or night,” NHC forecasters said Thursday morning.
It’s expected to weaken as it moves inland and dissipate within 36-48 hours.
Watches and warnings in effect
A tropical storm warning is in effect for:
The northern Gulf Coast from Morgan City, La., to Sargent, Texas
This means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 24 hours.
There are no tropical storm watches in place.
The biggest threats from Bertha
Bertha is expected to produce 1 to 4 inches of rainfall, with up to 6 inches in isolated areas, which could lead to flash flooding.
The combination of storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the immediate coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline, forecasters said.
Swells generated by the system could also cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.
How is the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season shaping up?
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and lasts until Nov. 30. Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are predicting eight to 14 total named storms, considered a below-normal season for the Atlantic basin. Out of those named storms, three to six are forecast to become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes (considered Category 3, 4 or 5).
An average season has 14 named storms, including seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season produced 13 named storms, including five hurricanes and four major hurricanes.